The disappearance of Jaydeep Apte, the 24-year-old sculptor behind the 35-feet-tall Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed on August 26, has ignited a significant political and social uproar in Maharashtra. Apte, who is untraceable, was responsible for the statue at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg’s Malvan. The statue had been inaugurated with grand ceremonies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Indian Navy Day celebrations in December last year, marking it as a symbol of regional pride and a major infrastructural achievement. However, its sudden collapse has turned into a highly contentious issue, resulting in intense scrutiny and political accusations against the ruling Mahayuti government.
Jaydeep Apte’s background is coming under increasing scrutiny. Despite his youthful age and relatively limited experience in large-scale sculptures—his largest prior work was approximately two feet tall—he was awarded a significant contract for the Shivaji statue. This discrepancy has raised questions about the criteria and process through which he was chosen for this high-profile project. Apte’s inexperience has led to allegations that political favoritism may have influenced the decision, with accusations that he was chosen due to his connections rather than his qualifications.
The incident has spurred a political firestorm. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has been vocal in its criticism, suggesting that the Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, may have played a role in the contract being awarded to Apte due to his connections with Shinde’s son, Shrikant Shinde. The Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece, *Saamana*, highlighted these concerns, questioning how a novice like Apte could be trusted with such an important project. Their critique underscores the broader sentiment of dissatisfaction with how the project was handled and the apparent lapses in oversight and accountability.
Sanjay Raut, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, has suggested that Apte may be hiding at the Chief Minister's official residence, Varsha, intensifying the controversy. This claim reflects a deep level of mistrust and suspicion surrounding the case. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole has demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla, accusing them of failing to ensure proper oversight and accountability regarding the statue’s construction and the subsequent collapse.
In response to the crisis, the police have mobilized an extensive search effort to locate Jaydeep Apte. Seven teams from the Malvan police and senior officers from various districts have been engaged in the search, yet Apte remains elusive. The arrest of Chetan Patil, a structural consultant involved in the project, has not resolved the matter, leaving many questions unanswered. Patil's arrest highlights the ongoing investigation but also adds to the sense of urgency and concern surrounding the missing sculptor.
The opposition parties, particularly the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), are demanding answers from the government. NCP leader Supriya Sule has expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, stating, "There is an answer in your question; where is Jaydeep Apte? Devendra Fadnavis should answer this." Sule’s comments reflect a broader call for clarity and accountability in the wake of the statue’s collapse and the ensuing political fallout.
Despite public apologies from Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the opposition continues to press for a thorough investigation and a full accounting of the events leading up to the statue's collapse. The incident has not only marred the reputation of the Mahayuti alliance but has also raised broader issues about governance, oversight, and the influence of political connections in public projects. The search for Jaydeep Apte is ongoing, and as the political pressure mounts, the outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for the state's political landscape and public trust in its leaders.
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